Malaysia’s 9 Underrated Small Towns (& Why You MUST Include in Them Your Itinerary!)
Part of what makes Malaysia such a great tourist attraction is its numerous cities offer different experiences. For instance, Kuala Lumpur is the best destination for nightlife and shopping while Penang is great for connecting with the country’s culture.
If you’re just focusing on these major cities, you’re missing out on some underrated small towns in Malaysia. This is where we come in, as we aim to highlight these under-the-radar towns and explain why they should belong in your itinerary.
So if you’re tired of the same old destinations in Malaysia and you want to try something different, keep on reading!
Bentong, Pahang
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Highlights: Bentong Night Market, Genting Highlights, Lover’s Waterfall, Bentong Gallery, Bentong Farm
Location
Bentong is one of the best destinations for quick getaways from Kuala Lumpur, given that it’s only an hour away from the capital. It’s a far cry from the busy streets of the capital, as it’s dotted with lush rainforests with various glamping sites.
It also houses a handful of waterfalls, one of which is the famous Chamang Waterfall also known as “Lover’s Waterfall.” So, you can expect to do a lot of hiking when visiting this district—and don’t worry because the sights will be worth it!
If you’re looking for a more civilised destination, you can check out the small charming town of Bukit Tinggi. Here, you can immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the village through its old-timey buildings, vast street food scene and its famous Bentong Night Market.
Pro tip:
Spend at least a day in Genting Highlands during your time in the area. It’s a short drive away and it’s the perfect spot for families, as it offers exciting theme park rides, comfortable accommodation, must-try restaurants and more.
Kluang, Johor
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Highlights: Talula Hill Farm Resort, Kluang coffee, Kluang street art, Kluang Coffee Powder Factory
Location
If you plan on going on a scenic road trip away from the towering skyscrapers of KL, the little town of Kluang in Johor should be on your radar. It’s surrounded by various resorts and organic farms where you can enjoy stunning views, meet cute and friendly animals, and pick herbs!
The town itself is rich in art, featuring various streets dotted with colourful murals all painted by local artists. It’s also a hit among coffee lovers mostly because of its iconic Kluang coffee, which is notably aromatic and vibrant.
You can try this coffee in one of the many kopitiams in town but we recommend getting it in The Original Kluang Rail Coffee, which has been serving it since 1938. If that’s not enough coffee for you, there’s also a coffee powder factory where you can resupply your caffeine pantry!
Pro tip:
Want to enjoy the complete farm experience and stay somewhere peaceful? Hit two birds with one stone by staying at Talula Hill Farm Resort!
Gopeng, Perak
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Highlights: Gaharu Tea Valley, Kellie’s Castle, Gopeng Glamping Park, Gopeng Museum, whitewater rafting
Location
Gopeng features amazing attractions that both nature lovers and adventure seekers will appreciate. One of the perfect examples of this is Gua Tempurung, which is a premier spelunking spot that features multiple chambers and beautiful natural limestone formations.
If crawling through tight crevices isn’t up your alley, then whitewater rafting should be on your radar! It takes place in the Kampar River and it will truly test you and your friends’ coordination skills, as you’ll have to work together to row through the fast rapids.
Meanwhile, you can check out Gopeng Glamping Park if you want a more laid-back destination but still want to enjoy beautiful panoramic views. Don’t worry though, as it doesn’t fall short of exciting optional activities like ATV riding and paintball.
Pro tip:
You can book a complete package at Gopeng Whitewater Rafting’s official website for a more convenient experience. This package includes transfers, certified whitewater rafting equipment, entrance fees, insurance and guides.
Teluk Intan, Perak
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Highlights: Firefly river cruise, Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Teluk Intan Riverfront
Location
Teluk Intan is a charming old-timey town that’s known for having its own version of a leaning tower. This time, however, it’s not because of shallow foundations but due to the underground stream since the tower was originally built to store water during the drought.
Foodies will also get a kick out of this small town because of its bustling food hub called Glutton Square Food Court. It’s here where you’ll get to try some of Malaysia’s most famous street foods like rojak, ais kacang, nasi kandar and more.
You can also enjoy majestic views through the river cruises you’ll find across the city. Firefly Marvels offers various river cruise packages that can take you fireflies and bird watching and a visit to a bustling fish farm.
Pro tip:
If you don’t want to spend any money but still want to enjoy breathtaking views, you can stroll along the town’s riverside promenade. This will provide you with unobstructed views of the Perak River even if you decide to visit at night thanks to the beautiful bright lights.
Rompin, Pahang
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Highlights: Lubuk Teja Waterfall, Blue Bubbles Scuba Training Centre, Endau-Rompin National Park, Villea Rompin Resort & Golf
Location
When it comes to nature getaways, Rompin may be the most underrated gem of them all! It doesn’t get enough credit for its wide selection of waterfalls and hiking spots—plus, it’s home to the second-largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia.
This park is Endau-Rompin National Park and it spans almost 900 square kilometres, covering small parts of both Pahang and Johor. Hiking here is extremely fun, as you’ll be treated to majestic views of pristine forests and you may even spot exotic animals like the Malayan Tiger.
You can also make a quick side trip to Tasik Biru, which features the bluest waters we’ve seen in any lake in Malaysia. It’s located in Bukit Ibam, which fun fact, was a former iron ore mining spot in the olden days.
Pro tip:
Book a stay at the Villea Rompin Resort & Golf if you’re looking to be treated to luxurious rooms, amenities and facilities during your time in town. It’s also located by the beachfront—everybody wins!
Kangar, Perlis
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Highlights: Masjid Alwi, Tasik Melati Recreational Park, Perlis Vineyard, Perlis Snake Park
Location
Although Kangar is known because it houses the transit station crossing the Thailand border, it’s not appreciated enough for its other offerings. For instance, it houses the serene Perlis Vineyard, which features hectares of seedless grape vines that you could purchase as well!
This vineyard is also near their famous Perlis Snake Park where you’ll be in awe of various slithering snakes as well as other types of reptiles. Among these reptiles are their resident crocodiles, which are both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Kangar doesn’t fall short on manmade beauties as well—case in point, Masjid Alwi. It’s the former state mosque that was built during the British colony and until today, it stands tall in the town centre of the city.
Pro tip:
Since one of Kangar’s best assets is its lush paddy fields, the best time to visit the city is from November to February. This is when the fields are at their lushest and greenest state—plus, these months feature cooler temperatures.
Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
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Highlights: Kolam Air Panas Kuala Kubu Baru, Lata Medang Waterfall, whitewater rafting
Location
Kuala Kubu Bharu is another destination we recommend if you’re looking to escape the bustling city life of Kuala Lumpur for a while. It’s only an hour’s drive away from the capital yet the difference in the setting between the two is night and day.
For starters, Kuala Kubu Bharu is filled with lush greeneries, which is why you’ll be breathing the crispest air during your exploration here. Furthermore, you’ll also find majestic waterfalls and rivers, the latter of which are famous for whitewater rafting.
The main highlight of this town, however, is Kolam Air Panas, which is a nature preserve that features numerous hot springs. Fresh air and natural springs surrounded by beautiful panoramic views? Count us in!
Pro tip:
Book your stay at The Sticks during your visit to Kuala Kubu Bharu. It features spacious and modern chalets and it’s located in the middle of a lush rainforest so your connection with nature won’t be broken even during your resting time.
Muar, Johor
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Highlights: Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque, Sai Kee Kopi 434, Muar Cultural Walk, Wetex Parade
Location
When visitors think of Johor, they immediately think of Johor Bahru (JB), which is a shame because they’re missing out on Muar. This lesser-known town features the same old-timey charm that JB has but with fewer crowds!
For instance, it also features tons of street art, which you’ll find in the aptly named attraction, Mural Cultural Walk. The artworks on display here were all made by local artists and they’re constantly refreshed to give visitors more reason to keep coming back.
The town is also home to several kopitiams where you can taste amazing local coffee as well as local delicacies like nasi lemak and roti bakar. However, if you want the most varied menu, you should head to Muar’s famous Glutton Street where tons of street foods are for sale.
Pro tip:
Before leaving, make sure to do some last-minute souvenir shopping at Wetex Parade, which is the city’s premier mall. From footwear to gadgets, groceries and more, this mall has everything you need!
Taiping, Perak
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Highlights: Taiping Lake Gardens, Taiping Zoo & Night Safari, Taiping Clock Tower, Perak Museum, Antong Coffee Factory
Location
Taiping is often overshadowed by Ipoh when talking about cities to visit in the state of Perak, which is a shame. We say this because Taiping offers several attractions that can cater to foodies, nature and animal lovers, history aficionados and more.
Starting with the foodie destination, Taiping features a bustling food hub called Larut Matang. It houses countless hawker stalls that offer the best of the best when it comes to Malaysian street food from char kway teow to wanton mee, mee rebus and more.
Meanwhile, nature lovers will love Taiping Lake Gardens with its towering trees, vast green fields and serene manmade lakes. It features the occasional birds but if you really want to be immersed in the country’s wildlife, then the Taiping Zoo should be on your itinerary.
Pro tip:
If you love the smell of coffee, then you should stop by Antong Coffee Factory! It has been operational since 1933 and is one of the few remaining factories that make coffee using the traditional way of wood roasting.